Another great benefit of the Foundation Workshop was the technical photography critique we received every evening. One of the big things I realized about my own work is my impatience to wait for the moment.
Instead of photographing responsively, I often photograph reactively. By that I mean that I often chase after the moment, usually capturing it, but often with sloppy composition and lighting. A responsive photographer anticipates the moment, sets up the composition in accordance with the light, and waits for the moment to transpire. This takes patience and forethought. But the payoff in terms of photographic quality are so worth it.
With that in mind, I headed out to the streets of Pittsburgh yesterday with my friend Milla to practice seeing, composing, and waiting. My goal: come away with one photo I liked, which is exactly what I ended up with after a couple of hours shooting in the cold. I wanted the photo to have the three elements of a great picture: light, composition, and moment. Only this one fit the bill, but I really enjoyed the experiment and plan to continue this series of Pittsburgh street photography.
Bonus points to those who can guess which Pittsburgh store this was taken in.
And here’s one extra of Milla basking in the sun.
by mary
Hannah Wood - Even as a very amateur photographer I often struggle with that and hurriedly take the photo just so I can capture the moment. Sometimes the results are good but more often then not the photo result is not what I wanted.
Jenn - That has to be PennMac…I think I would live there if they let me! And I knew it because I am there a lot! Haha. Great shot Mary!
David Dunton - I like the shot, Mary (both actually). Do I still get bonus points for reading your page’s HTML source and finding out what store it was? (http://www.pennmac.com/)
joey kennedy - Good thoughts and choice of photos to share Mary. I have been thinking of these elements too. I just lectured yesterday to my students about the work of Cartier-Bresson, learning to wait for the moment.
In Digital, i find myself shooting multiple frames in order capture “the one.” It does clutter and double the workload in the editing process. So many people fear this business is over-saturated, but when you really start to study the work… it truly takes years to do it right. Many will fail before they reach that summit for the dedication required. I respect your choice of images here, somedays i go out and shoot and GET NOTHING. Of course there are good photos, but nothing makes me stop and contemplate.
I have an idea for you, you might think im crazy? I would even be willing to do this with you sometime. Go out, on the streets, when its busy, set the camera on f/5.6. Do not look through the lens. Just feel with it, and shoot. Obviously, your making decisions in your head, but I think it really begins the thinking process. More importantly, it begins the feeling process. I think its important to wait and then look at them later, do not edit or monitor in the field and this will influence you. Your merely looking for emotive moments, which can not be duplicated.
To me, Art is feelings. Good or bad, if it doesn’t make feelings, I have failed. I guess that is what I look for again and again in my personal and professional work.